I love your opening scene with Julia. Why? I went through the almost identical scene, but probably two decades earlier. It was the height of glam, Bowie/Ziggy was going to perform at Madison Square Garden, and I sat on Cecilia's bed as she tried to make me over to suit the occasion. She was 18 and already had a contract with Ford--I don't know how I even rated being part of her crowd, but I would pretty much have done anything she asked. We all traipsed off, boarded the train to New York in our glitter and tinsel, and went to see Bowie.
Musically, you and I did things in different order. I went directly from 70's rock into Disco, New Wave and Goth, and only discovered metal many years later (I loved Purple and Zeppelin but somehow didn't make the hop over to outright metal until much later). So for me, metal is still new--I'm just catching up! Great piece, Steve.
Thanks, Charles! I was so glad my story was relatable, and sorry that you went through a similar experience, even though it was probably a transformative one in a good way ultimately. I’m pretty sure it was only one decade earlier though. Because Bowie Ziggy was I think 73? And I’m pretty sure you’re not older than 68.
I actually think you discovering metal at an older age makes you more open minded to the genre than I am in certain ways. I find that I am a lot more open-minded to genres that I discover from my mid 20s and older. I’m a little more attached to my formative years musical influences.
Yes, Steve, you probably have the timing right. I just figured you for around 40, from your youthful countenance! No need to be sorry over my Cecilia story--we stayed friends for many years and she gave me a window into s world most nerds never get to see. It has a dark side as well She knew early on that the creepy old men who ran much of the fashion industry were predators, and she had to be constantly on her guard.
The concert was fun, not least for the people-watching. Re. metal, I have a hard time with the genre gatekeepers so I'm not even sure what is considered metal. Some people consider GNR, KISS and ACDC metal and others insist they aren't. Most of my discoveries are of bands that weren't even born then!
I loved both of their first albums as they were released! I was a teenager who grew up active in a Christian church bubble, and they might have been one of my first exposures to secular music with themes in faith. I remember being blown away that they were singing about faith at all, confused by a tone that wasn’t worship but also wasn’t conflicting. To me, there had always been “christian music” and “secular music” and if you crossed over in the wrong direction (like Amy Grant did!) you were a bad person (like Amy Grant was!). But here was Gordon Gano, blurring those lines! Exhilarating!
This is excellent, especially the reminiscences about the awkward teenage relationship that never was! Last night (while I was wide awake at 4 in the morning) I was thinking about writing a series linking music with my relationships over the years. So the timing of this is perfect although I’m not sure I have your comedic talent 😝. Bermuda is so small I’d probably have to use aliases (not that it’ll be a kiss and tell kinda thing but better to protect people’s anonymity).
On Violent Femmes, I was 12 when the debut came out and didn’t hear it until 4-5 years later and I absolutely fell in love with it. I haven’t listened to any of their other albums but am really enjoying this one (halfway through it now). Interestingly, I don’t think I would’ve dug it back then because of how different it feels than the debut but I’m loving the diversity of styles
Thanks, Mark! Happy to oblige spurring on your next project! I guess growing up in L.A., and also not being in touch with anyone from my HS years and prior makes using aliases unnecessary for me. Also, I can’t remember anyone’s names! Ha.
I can definitely see how Hallowed Ground would have been jarring for those attached to the debut, but there are definite overlaps on subject matter and bluntness; the biggest change I think is musically. It’s far more experimental — and the debut was pretty different than anything else on the radio. I just replayed all of Hallowed Ground again and get bits of Velvet Underground and Jonathan Richman and maybe a touch of Captain Beefheart, but they really had their own sound. Their 3rd album has a lot of good songs, but is too political which dates the album quite a bit. There are excellent songs on the later albums, but nothing as inspired and cohesive as the first two, IMO.
A great piece - I didn't get into them when I was 14 in 1983 (too much Prince around, I guess) - but did a couple of years later when I started to really hear music for the first time. Somehow they got in amidst all the Floyd, Beatles and Zeppelin that defined that time.
And, now ... another album in the stack to listen to on the way home! Thanks!
Thanks, Bryan. I was slightly late to the Prince train. I of course knew the hits but it was 1985 and getting an education from a massive Prince fan at my job at a record store that led to a life-long commitment to the Purple One.
I had a Sears boombox (!) that had to be sent back for repairs … when it came back, the person who’d checked the work had left a cassette tape in it. Which meant Controversy was added to my very limited collection. And changed music quite dramatically for me.
That’s an awesome story! Had you written about it for The Bus? I recently moved into a new house a week ago and the windows in many of the rooms are Sears brand windows. Makes sense why several of them don’t lock properly…:)
There are lots of reasons I’m glad those years were pre-modern technology and cell-cameras. But for memories like this one, it’s a real bummer. I think I have maybe 10 photos of my entire high school years. Thanks, as always, Andy, for reading and appreciating!
I’m about to buy a turntable for my new place….I’ll DM you with a couple of questions….:)
Great post, Steve. That first Femmes album is awkward, wiry teenage nervousness at its most jittery. It's also ten songs of unbridled, untethered, and uncompromising sneering teenage angst deeply embedded into the record's grooves. To follow it up with the darker 'Hallowed Ground' was quite the statement and an impressive creative leap.
I was 14 in 1983 and didn't discover the Femmes until I was about 17 and heard the debut LP at a friend's house. I'm not sure it would have had the same impact on me had I heard it at 14, but it blew me away when I did!
So well said, Michael. I would have been 15 when the first album was released, but was quite stunted emotionally so I’m not sure it would have hit for me either at that time. Both albums are truly ones of a kinds. They never approached the greatness of those two records again, though they did make some good, mostly hit-and-miss albums over the subsequent decades.
Well, he was a heroin addict for many years, not that I’m making excuses. Also, I don’t know him personally, so who’s to say if he’s really an ass or if in the media you are either ass or angel? He seems like a good guy in the recent interviews I’ve seen. He’s cleaned up his act it seems.
I'm glad to hear that Julie helped you transition from mullet to makeup, even if she did move on to other perchers on her black velvet bedspread. (Her loss, not yours.)
I love the Violent Femmes! Of course, I started with the first one when it was released, and never quite got into Hallowed Ground - I did love Country Death Song though! I got to see them play both of these albums last summer on tour and it was a blast!
I super love this Hoodoo Guru’s album! I used to own it on vinyl - going to have to look to see if I still have it.
Thanks, Kristin! I came to love Hoodoo Gurus as much or even more than the Femmes' and have seen them live a half dozen times (or maybe more). I still play their debut, Stoneage Romeos, more than the others, but they've never put out a bad album, IMO.
I think Hallowed Ground was such a change from their first album that many fans weren't able to adjust. I love them both for very different reasons. It reminds me of the first two Thomas Dolby albums. Golden Age of Wireless was full of fun, quirky, danceable singles and his follow-up, The Flat Earth, was moody and atmospheric. It had "Hyperactive" added to give it a hit single, but was a complete flip from his debut.
I love your opening scene with Julia. Why? I went through the almost identical scene, but probably two decades earlier. It was the height of glam, Bowie/Ziggy was going to perform at Madison Square Garden, and I sat on Cecilia's bed as she tried to make me over to suit the occasion. She was 18 and already had a contract with Ford--I don't know how I even rated being part of her crowd, but I would pretty much have done anything she asked. We all traipsed off, boarded the train to New York in our glitter and tinsel, and went to see Bowie.
Musically, you and I did things in different order. I went directly from 70's rock into Disco, New Wave and Goth, and only discovered metal many years later (I loved Purple and Zeppelin but somehow didn't make the hop over to outright metal until much later). So for me, metal is still new--I'm just catching up! Great piece, Steve.
Thanks, Charles! I was so glad my story was relatable, and sorry that you went through a similar experience, even though it was probably a transformative one in a good way ultimately. I’m pretty sure it was only one decade earlier though. Because Bowie Ziggy was I think 73? And I’m pretty sure you’re not older than 68.
I actually think you discovering metal at an older age makes you more open minded to the genre than I am in certain ways. I find that I am a lot more open-minded to genres that I discover from my mid 20s and older. I’m a little more attached to my formative years musical influences.
Yes, Steve, you probably have the timing right. I just figured you for around 40, from your youthful countenance! No need to be sorry over my Cecilia story--we stayed friends for many years and she gave me a window into s world most nerds never get to see. It has a dark side as well She knew early on that the creepy old men who ran much of the fashion industry were predators, and she had to be constantly on her guard.
The concert was fun, not least for the people-watching. Re. metal, I have a hard time with the genre gatekeepers so I'm not even sure what is considered metal. Some people consider GNR, KISS and ACDC metal and others insist they aren't. Most of my discoveries are of bands that weren't even born then!
I loved both of their first albums as they were released! I was a teenager who grew up active in a Christian church bubble, and they might have been one of my first exposures to secular music with themes in faith. I remember being blown away that they were singing about faith at all, confused by a tone that wasn’t worship but also wasn’t conflicting. To me, there had always been “christian music” and “secular music” and if you crossed over in the wrong direction (like Amy Grant did!) you were a bad person (like Amy Grant was!). But here was Gordon Gano, blurring those lines! Exhilarating!
This is excellent, especially the reminiscences about the awkward teenage relationship that never was! Last night (while I was wide awake at 4 in the morning) I was thinking about writing a series linking music with my relationships over the years. So the timing of this is perfect although I’m not sure I have your comedic talent 😝. Bermuda is so small I’d probably have to use aliases (not that it’ll be a kiss and tell kinda thing but better to protect people’s anonymity).
On Violent Femmes, I was 12 when the debut came out and didn’t hear it until 4-5 years later and I absolutely fell in love with it. I haven’t listened to any of their other albums but am really enjoying this one (halfway through it now). Interestingly, I don’t think I would’ve dug it back then because of how different it feels than the debut but I’m loving the diversity of styles
Thanks, Mark! Happy to oblige spurring on your next project! I guess growing up in L.A., and also not being in touch with anyone from my HS years and prior makes using aliases unnecessary for me. Also, I can’t remember anyone’s names! Ha.
I can definitely see how Hallowed Ground would have been jarring for those attached to the debut, but there are definite overlaps on subject matter and bluntness; the biggest change I think is musically. It’s far more experimental — and the debut was pretty different than anything else on the radio. I just replayed all of Hallowed Ground again and get bits of Velvet Underground and Jonathan Richman and maybe a touch of Captain Beefheart, but they really had their own sound. Their 3rd album has a lot of good songs, but is too political which dates the album quite a bit. There are excellent songs on the later albums, but nothing as inspired and cohesive as the first two, IMO.
A great piece - I didn't get into them when I was 14 in 1983 (too much Prince around, I guess) - but did a couple of years later when I started to really hear music for the first time. Somehow they got in amidst all the Floyd, Beatles and Zeppelin that defined that time.
And, now ... another album in the stack to listen to on the way home! Thanks!
Thanks, Bryan. I was slightly late to the Prince train. I of course knew the hits but it was 1985 and getting an education from a massive Prince fan at my job at a record store that led to a life-long commitment to the Purple One.
I had a Sears boombox (!) that had to be sent back for repairs … when it came back, the person who’d checked the work had left a cassette tape in it. Which meant Controversy was added to my very limited collection. And changed music quite dramatically for me.
That’s an awesome story! Had you written about it for The Bus? I recently moved into a new house a week ago and the windows in many of the rooms are Sears brand windows. Makes sense why several of them don’t lock properly…:)
I haven’t written about this - but just may!
Pictures or it didn't happen! 😂 Great post, by the way.
There are lots of reasons I’m glad those years were pre-modern technology and cell-cameras. But for memories like this one, it’s a real bummer. I think I have maybe 10 photos of my entire high school years. Thanks, as always, Andy, for reading and appreciating!
I’m about to buy a turntable for my new place….I’ll DM you with a couple of questions….:)
I hear you. Lack of evidence can be a blessing and a curse at the same time!
Sure, fire away when ready!
Great post, Steve. That first Femmes album is awkward, wiry teenage nervousness at its most jittery. It's also ten songs of unbridled, untethered, and uncompromising sneering teenage angst deeply embedded into the record's grooves. To follow it up with the darker 'Hallowed Ground' was quite the statement and an impressive creative leap.
I was 14 in 1983 and didn't discover the Femmes until I was about 17 and heard the debut LP at a friend's house. I'm not sure it would have had the same impact on me had I heard it at 14, but it blew me away when I did!
So well said, Michael. I would have been 15 when the first album was released, but was quite stunted emotionally so I’m not sure it would have hit for me either at that time. Both albums are truly ones of a kinds. They never approached the greatness of those two records again, though they did make some good, mostly hit-and-miss albums over the subsequent decades.
Enjoyed this share and learning more about your ❤️ for the Violent Femmes. Rock on Culture Club! Why did/does Boy George have to be such as ass?
Well, he was a heroin addict for many years, not that I’m making excuses. Also, I don’t know him personally, so who’s to say if he’s really an ass or if in the media you are either ass or angel? He seems like a good guy in the recent interviews I’ve seen. He’s cleaned up his act it seems.
Growth mindset. People grow up and change sometimes for the better
Great comedic writing, Steve!
I'm glad to hear that Julie helped you transition from mullet to makeup, even if she did move on to other perchers on her black velvet bedspread. (Her loss, not yours.)
Thanks, Ellen! That can be the title of one of my memoirs! From Mullet to Makeup.
I love it. Looking forward to reading your memoir series!
Country Death Song is my favourite of theirs. I didn't find out til years later that country death songs are actually a genre.
Yeah, not as well known as murder ballads, but just as important. And usually with a bit more humor.
I love the Violent Femmes! Of course, I started with the first one when it was released, and never quite got into Hallowed Ground - I did love Country Death Song though! I got to see them play both of these albums last summer on tour and it was a blast!
I super love this Hoodoo Guru’s album! I used to own it on vinyl - going to have to look to see if I still have it.
Thanks, Kristin! I came to love Hoodoo Gurus as much or even more than the Femmes' and have seen them live a half dozen times (or maybe more). I still play their debut, Stoneage Romeos, more than the others, but they've never put out a bad album, IMO.
I think Hallowed Ground was such a change from their first album that many fans weren't able to adjust. I love them both for very different reasons. It reminds me of the first two Thomas Dolby albums. Golden Age of Wireless was full of fun, quirky, danceable singles and his follow-up, The Flat Earth, was moody and atmospheric. It had "Hyperactive" added to give it a hit single, but was a complete flip from his debut.